WHEN Langa residents woke up to find a cloud of thick black smoke over their homes, they thought it was a shack fire!
But they were surprised to find it was a shop burning at a business complex.
Residents rushed to MM Upholstery and found the place was on fire. Some people tried to fight the flames but the blaze was too strong.
Nomangesi Madyosi (53), the sister of the shop’s owner, Mxolisi Madyosi (57), said a butchery worker came to tell them the shop was on fire.
“Apparently the fire started with a couch that was in the front. The firefighters arrived just after us and the shop was burning strongly,” she said.
Nomangesi from Nyanga said her brother was completely devastated by what happened.
“What’s stressing him the most is there were customers’ belongings in the shop.
“We don’t really know what started the fire. Everyone is confused. We don’t know what happened. I believe if they investigate and find someone involved they will deal with the long arm of the law and justice will prevail,” she said.
Xolile Mpande (46) said: “This is very bad because the owner of this upholstery shop is a very nice man. He helps locals and knows how to deal with his clients. He’s a most friendly man.
“What has happened is not good. If anyone is responsible for the fire, that person must be arrested.”
Cape Town fire and rescue services spokeswoman Liezl Moodie confirmed that a shop burned down in Washington Street, Langa, Cape Town on Sunday morning.
“The cause of the fire is still undetermined. No injuries were reported,” she said.
